I am currently using macOS 10.13.3 (High Sierra) on my 2017 MacBook Air, which has an Intel i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 120GB SSD. I am considering an upgrade to Monterey (12.7.4) and am weighing my options. There are two upgrade paths to think about:
1. The step-by-step upgrade process which involves moving from 10.13 (High Sierra) to 10.14 (Mojave), then to 10.15 (Catalina), followed by 11 (Big Sur), and finally reaching 12 (Monterey).
2. A direct upgrade from 10.13 (High Sierra) to 12.7.4 (Monterey). However, I have some concerns about the upgrade process. One major issue is the potential for problems related to the APFS conversion.
Additionally, I am wondering if any of my 32-bit applications will become incompatible after the upgrade. I am also contemplating whether to opt for a clean install or an upgrade-in-place, keeping in mind the implications for performance and stability, especially on older MacBook Air hardware. I have taken precautions by making multiple backups, including using Time Machine, creating a bootable USB installer for Monterey, and having external SSD backups. My primary goal is to avoid any risks of rendering my Mac unusable or encountering unexpected firmware issues during the upgrade.
I would appreciate any insights from others who have made this leap or have taken partial steps recently. If anyone has encountered challenges or has helpful tips regarding this upgrade process, I would be grateful for your input.
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